There Are Many Ways To Help Our Veterans

Editor's Note: Although there are many ways to help and honor our veterans, here is a summary (in no particular order) of some. Even though there are some ratings -- by letter -- below, this publication does not recommend any one above another; that is for individuals to decide.

Some Top Choices Among Veterans Charities

Armed Services YMCA of the USA (A)

Who We Are: The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) is the constant in a military family’s life: on the home front and during deployment, when transitioning between bases, and in times of conflict and peace. The ASYMCA is an independent, national non-profit and Association of the YMCA of the USA, specifically dedicated to serving active duty military service members and their families of all six Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. The oldest military support organization in the U.S., the ASYMCA has been “Strengthening Our Military Family®” since 1861 through its 12 branches and 23 affiliate partners, serving 87 military installations and facilities nationwide. Our nationally and locally tailored programs and services for our nation’s troops and their families are offered at no or low cost and require no dues or membership fees. (asymca.org)

Bob Woodruff Family Foundation (A)

We Stand Up for Heroes: The Bob Woodruff Foundation has partnerships in communities across the country. We are able to identify and invest in best-in-class programs that are serving the diverse needs of impacted service members, veterans, families, and caregivers right in their communities. (bobwoodrufffoundation.org)

Fisher House Foundation (A+)

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room.All Fisher Houses are completely free of charge.

Fisher Houses are owned and operated by the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs in association with the attached hospital. Each Fisher House is between 7 and 21 suites and can accommodate 16 to 42 family members. They feature a spacious common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room and a living room with a library and toys for children. Newer houses are 100% wheelchair accessible and include elevators.

A Fisher House is a temporary residence and is not a treatment facility, hospice, or counseling center.If you are looking to stay in a Fisher House or volunteer, please contact the house manager: Arizona: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

MGR: Kelly Laurich / (520) 838-3680 / arizona.fisherhouse@va.gov

Gary Sinise Foundation (A)

The Gary Sinise Foundation serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. (garysinisefoundation.org)

Homes For Our Troops (A)

Our mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. We are evaluated as one of America’s top-rated veterans and military charities. (https://www.hfotusa.org/)

Hope For The Warriors (A)

We believe in a holistic approach to well-being and understand that many factors impact a service member’s life—family, community, employment, and countless others. As such, our programs take a 360° approach to service, promoting whole-person wellness for each service member we support. Through our three program areas—Transition Services, Clinical Health & Wellness, and Sports & Recreation—we help service members and military families on their journey to wellness and a successful transition to civilian life. (hopeforthewarriors.org)

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (A-)

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund serves United States military personnel experiencing the invisible wounds of war: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS). When our servicemen and women return from the battlefield, we help them fight the war within by building world-class, advanced treatment centers providing the best TBI and PTS care, enabling these heroes to continue to serve on active duty and enjoy a full and productive life. (fallenheroesfund.org)

K9s For Warriors (A-)

Roughly 20 veterans die by suicide every day, and K9s For Warriors is determined to change that. K9s For Warriors exists because of a fierce dedication to saving the lives of both veterans and rescue dogs. This program is backed by scientific research and empowers veterans who fought for our freedom to live a life of dignity and independence. Graduates of the program are able to live a life that they previously did not think was possible. Many have reunited with their families, gone back to school, found renewed enjoyment in life, and significantly reduced their medications.

K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest veteran service organization focused on providing highly trained Service Dogs to Warriors. Our program is focused on mitigating the debilitating symptoms of service-connected traumas. We validate our methods through tireless research and make breakthroughs every day. Successfully guiding a veteran through the K9s For Warriors program and providing them with a Service Dog doesn’t just change the Warrior’s life. It saves it. 

The majority of our K9s are rescued from shelters or surrendered by their owners. In saving these animals from abandonment or euthanasia, we give them purpose. Each pair who graduates from our program represent two lives saved – the Service Dog and the Warrior. In 2022, K9s For Warriors intends to establish Arizona as the headquarters for its West Coast Operations. K9s plans to hire and train 25-60 new employees including: dog behaviorists, dog trainers, kennel caretakers, veterinary staff, support staff.

Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. (k9sforwarriors.org)

Tunnels To Towers

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation builds mortgage-free smart homes for our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Each home is designed to address the unique needs of each individual. These homes help our most severely injured veterans and first responders to reclaim their day-to-day independence. What percentage of donations goes to Tunnels to Towers? 93.00% Is Tunnels to Towers a good organization to donate to?

Charity Navigator Awards Tunnel to Towers 4-Stars for 6th Consecutive Year. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator.

Editor's Note: Locally, VFW Post 3513 and its Auxiliary are also supporters of MANA House, highlighted in the July issue of this publication.